A plant that dwarfs Manhattan 🌱

Plus: Saudi Arabia to build the world's largest skyscrapers that will run for miles Jun 02, 2022 [Blueprint]( From giant, hairy, and terrifying spiders the size of a saucepan to "corpse flowers" that smell like death itself, Australia unquestionably holds an ecological monopoly on the world's weirdest creatures. So, it may not surprise you that scientists have just discovered a plant three times the size of Manhattan in Western Australia. To be honest, I'd expect a plant that big to stick out like a sore thumb. But, turns out, that couldn't be further from the truth: This 4,500-year-old seagrass has been living right under our noses, cloning itself in a joyous frenzy, far away from human attention. Before we learn more about this spectacular plant and its resilient secrets, watch today’s video to learn how SpaceX’s methane rocket fuel packs major thrust in a small package. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get acquainted with the stories. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Here's why SpaceX's rocket fuel packs major thrust in a small package]( [SpaceX fuel.]( At a fraction of conventional rocket costs. [Must Read]MUST READ [The world's largest plant is a 112-mile-long seagrass in Australia]( [Seagrass.]( Roughly 4,500 years ago, a single seagrass seed drifted into a prime region — in what is now known as Shark Bay, off the westernmost tip of Australia. Left to its own devices in an environment relatively untouched by humans, the seed cloned itself into what is now believed to be [the biggest plant anywhere on Earth](. A giant of nature. The plant — a Posidonia australis, also known as the ribbon weed — covers more than 77 square miles (200 sq km), which is more than three times the size of Manhattan island. How the plant managed to survive thousands of years remains a mystery. Scientists behind the study are especially puzzled over the fact that the plant doesn’t have sex — sterile plants tend to also have reduced genetic diversity, which they normally need when dealing with environmental change. Against all odds, the plant appears to keep going. Next, the team plans to [further investigate the plant to uncover more secrets]( about how the massive specimen thrives. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [Saudi Arabia wants to build the world's largest skyscrapers that will run for miles]( Saudi Arabia [plans to build the world's largest buildings]( as part of its $500 billion development plan called NEOM. The project will feature twin skyscrapers that will extend for miles. Each skyscraper will be roughly 1,640 feet (500 m) tall, but instead of competing in height with other buildings, it will outclass them in width. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - [Watch NASA reveal the lucky companies]( selected to develop its next-gen spacesuits for the Artemis moon missions. - China has started the construction of [a nuclear energy-powered steam supply unit](. - Aviation startup H2FLY [hit a new record altitude of 7,230 feet]( (2.2 km) with a hydrogen aircraft. [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [A mysterious radio signal was discovered 60 million light-years from Earth]( File this one under "likely not aliens, but you never know": A team of Australian astronomers [discovered a mysterious radio signal of unknown origin]( saying it requires further investigation to determine its source. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - A NASA planetary defense exercise simulated a new global threat. [Here's what happened](. - Scientists have unveiled [a proven way to survive a global catastrophe](. Hint: It doesn't involve an isolated island. - Are hydrogen cars the panacea we need to get off fossil fuels? [Perhaps not](. [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS A team of researchers has discovered what they believe to be the largest plant on Earth. Would you like to try your hand at growing the largest plant in the whole world? [Yes! I have a green thumb.]( [I’m not really a plant person.]( [Why bother? Let nature run its course.]( [Only if I can use genetic engineering. Gotta play it smart.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked when you think we will solve our renewable energy battery storage problem. According to 41 percent of you, the question is not "when," but "how.” 41% It’s not a matter of “when” but “how”. 30% Soon. The solution is just around the corner. 19% It’s futile. We should focus on nuclear energy instead. 10% How would I know? [TODAY IN HISTORY]TODAY IN HISTORY Happy birthday to Apollo 12 commander Charles Peter Conrad, who was born today in 1930. His [first words after setting foot on the moon]( were, "Whoopie! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that’s a long one for me." He was 4.7 inches (12 cm) shorter than astronaut Neil Armstrong. [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Mistel Split Mechanical Keyboard]( [image]( [ISOtunes True Wireless Earplug]( [image]( [ASUS Chromebook Flip]( [image]( [Qingping Air Quality Monitor]( [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY "The black holes of nature are the most perfect macroscopic objects there are in the universe: the only elements in their construction are our concepts of space and time." Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar in “The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes” (1992) [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Remote work at Elon Musk's Tesla [is reportedly “no longer acceptable”](. - The nervous and immune systems are tightly intertwined. [Deciphering their chatter might help]( address many brain disorders and diseases. (Nature) - Ford's electric truck F-150 Lightning [can power a house for three days](. - EV subsidies are poorly designed and mostly benefit the rich. [Some simple changes could]( make them more effective and equitable. (Knowable Magazine) - Scientists have created an optical illusion [that feels like an expanding black hole](. - Earth [will become one big supercontinent again]( and it will probably kill us. (Popular Mechanics) - Quantum teleportation [just got us one step closer]( to ultra-secure and superfast internet. Prepared by Derya Özdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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